Bracket for Adjustable-Depth Mounting of Electrical Boxes

ABSTRACT

A bracket for adjustable-depth mounting of an electrical box relative to a support structure can include a support body and a support arm. The support body can be configured to be secured to the support structure. A fastener can be retained on the support arm and can be adjusted relative to the support arm to move the electrical box to be secured at any of a plurality of depths relative to the support body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/952,197, filed Nov. 19, 2020, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 62/941,492 and 62/987,041, filedNov. 27, 2019 and Mar. 9, 2020, respectively, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

In many applications, it may be useful to support electrical boxes atdifferent depths relative to support structures, such as ceiling or wallstructures of buildings. For example, in order to dispose electricalboxes of different depths to be flush with internal wall or ceilingsurfaces, it may be useful to support the electrical boxes at differentdepths relative to a particular support structure.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the invention provide a bracket for adjustable-depthmounting of an electrical box relative to a support structure. Thebracket can include a support body that is configured to be secured tothe support structure, a support arm, and a fastener that is retained onthe support arm and is configured to permit adjustment of the fastenerrelative to the support arm. The support arm can be configured to holdthe fastener relative to the electrical box, so that the adjustment ofthe fastener relative to the support arm moves the electrical box to besecured at any of a plurality of depths relative to the support body.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a bracket for adjustable-depthmounting of an electrical box relative to a support structure. Thebracket can include a support body and a support arm. The support bodycan be configured to be secured to the support structure and to surroundexterior sides of the electrical box. The support arm can extendintegrally from the support body and can include an extension portionand a support portion. The extension portion can be configured to extendfrom the support body along the exterior of a side of the electricalbox. The support portion can extend at an angle from an end of theextension portion opposite the support body and can be configured toretain a threaded fastener to the exterior of a back side of theelectrical box with the threaded fastener extending into engagement witha fastener opening on the electrical box so that rotational adjustmentof the fastener relative to the support portion moves the electrical boxto be secured at any of a plurality of depths relative to the supportbody.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a method of adjusting amounting depth of an electrical box relative to a bracket. Theelectrical box can be secured to the bracket using a fastener secured toa support arm of the bracket. The fastener can be rotated relative tothe support arm to move the electrical box to any of a plurality ofdepths relative to a support body of the bracket.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a bracket assembly foradjustable-depth mounting of an electrical box relative to a supportstructure. A support body can be configured to be secured to the supportstructure, the support body including a body opening that is fullyenclosed by the support body and sized to slidably receive theelectrical box. First and second support arms can extend integrally fromrespective edges of the support opening to respective free ends and caninclude respective bends configured to dispose the free end behindrespective corners of a rear wall of the electrical box, with a supportportion proximate each of the free ends rotatably supporting acorresponding threaded fastener that is configured to threadedly engagewith the electrical box to be rotatable from inside the electrical boxto adjust a depth of the electrical box within the body opening. Aplurality of attachment arms, including at least one of a spring arm ora bendable tab, can extend integrally from the support body and can beconfigured to collectively secure the support body to the supportstructure. A plurality of guide tabs can extend integrally from thesupport body into alignment with the body opening, the guide tabs beingconfigured to biasingly engage side walls of the electrical box to guidemovement of the electrical box within the opening.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a bracket assembly foradjustable-depth mounting of an electrical box relative to a supportstructure. A support body can be configured to be secured to the supportstructure and can include a body opening sized to slidably receive theelectrical box. A first support arm and a second support arm can extendfrom the support body on opposing sides of the body opening, with thefirst support arm extending independently relative to the second supportarm. Each of the first and second support arms can have a supportportion configured to extend behind the electrical box when theelectrical box is slidably received in the body opening, the end portionretaining a fastener that is configured to be adjusted from inside theelectrical box, relative to the corresponding first or second supportarm to move the electrical box to any of a plurality of depths relativeto the support body.

Some embodiments of the invention provide a manufacturing blank for abracket assembly. The manufacturing blank can include a single-pieceplanar body that includes a central body opening, first and secondsupports, and first and second sets of arms. The central body openingcan be fully enclosed by material of the single-piece planar body. Thefirst and second supports can extend into the central body opening fromopposing edges of the central body opening. The first and second sets ofarms can extend away from the central body opening, from each of twoopposing sides of the single-piece planar body. Each of the first andsecond sets of arms can include a first attachment arm that extendsfarther away from the central body opening than second and thirdattachment arms of the first or second set of arms and that includes afree end with an extended tab opposite the central body opening

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part ofthis specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with the description, serve to explain the principles ofembodiments of the invention:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a ceiling structure and a bracketaccording to an embodiment of the invention, with the bracket supportingan electrical box relative to the ceiling structure;

FIG. 2 is an isometric sectional partial view of the ceiling structureand bracket of FIG. 1 taken along plane 2-2 of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an isometric partial view of a ceiling structure and anotherbracket according to an embodiment of the invention, with the bracketsupporting an electrical box relative to the ceiling structure;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are isometric partial views of a support structure and abracket according to an embodiment of the invention, with the bracketsupporting an electrical box relative to the support structure;

FIG. 6 is an isometric partial view of a ceiling structure and a bracketaccording to an embodiment of the invention, with the bracket supportingan electrical box relative to the ceiling structure;

FIG. 7 is a front plan view of another bracket according to anembodiment of the invention, with the bracket supporting an electricalbox;

FIG. 8 is an isometric partial view of the bracket of FIG. 7 and asupport structure, with the bracket supporting the electrical boxrelative to the support structure;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of another bracket according to anembodiment of the invention, with the bracket supporting an electricalbox;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 9 ;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the bracket of FIG. 9 , installed on asupport structure; and

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a manufacturing blank for a bracketaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood thatthe phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein ismeant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereofas well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, theterms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variationsthereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirectmountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected”and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connectionsor couplings.

Also as used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, directionalterms are presented only with regard to the particular embodiment andperspective described. For example, reference to features or directionsas “horizontal,” “vertical,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” and so onare generally made with reference to a particular figure or example andare not necessarily indicative of an absolute orientation or direction.However, relative directional terms for a particular embodiment maygenerally apply to alternative orientations of that embodiment. Forexample, “front” and “rear” directions or features (or “right” and“left” directions or features, and so on) may be generally understood toindicate relatively opposite directions or features.

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modificationsto the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilledin the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of theinvention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to belimited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. Thefollowing detailed description is to be read with reference to thefigures, in which like elements in different figures have like referencenumerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depictselected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope ofembodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize theexamples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall withinthe scope of embodiments of the invention.

As noted above, in some contexts, it may be useful to secure electricalboxes (or other components) at different depths relative to a supportstructure. For example, in order to comply with requirements that aforward opening of an electrical box be flush with an interior surfaceof drywall or a ceiling tile, the electrical box may need to be securedto a support structure (e.g., a stud, support bracket, ceilingstructure, etc.) at a depth that depends on the depth of the electricalbox. Because electrical boxes can be provided with a variety of depths,it may accordingly be necessary to secure different electrical boxes toa particular support structure at different depths relative to thesupport structure. Embodiments of the invention can provide a bracketand associated assembly or method that can allow easy adjustment of themounting depth of an electrical box relative to a support structure,including after the bracket has been installed on the support structure.

Embodiments of the invention are presented below in the context ofparticular support structures, including T-grid ceiling support bars andassociated brackets. Although these configurations can be particularlyuseful in some contexts, including due to the particular requirementsfor mounting electrical boxes to ceiling structures, otherconfigurations are possible. For example, the principles disclosedherein—and embodiments of the invention—can be used with ceiling supportstructures other than those expressly illustrated or discussed, withnon-ceiling support structures (e.g., telescoping or other bracketsattached to wall studs), or in a variety of other contexts. Similarly,although particular configurations of electrical boxes are illustratedand discussed below, some embodiments of the invention can be used withelectrical boxes having different configurations. And some embodimentsof the invention can be used to adjust the mounting depth of componentsother than electrical boxes.

Generally, embodiments of the invention can include a bracket thatincludes a support body and one or more support arms that arecollectively configured to support an electrical box relative to one ormore other structures (e.g., a ceiling or between-stud support). In somecases, the support arm(s) can be integrally formed with the supportbody, although other configurations are possible.

Each support arm can be configured to adjustably receive a fastener,with the fastener extending from the support arm to engage the supportbody or the electrical box. The fastener can then be adjusted relativeto the support arm in order to manually adjust the mounting depth of theelectrical box relative to the support body and any associated supportstructure (e.g., ceiling or between-stud support). Generally, in thisregard, adjustment of the fastener can move the electrical box in anaxial direction defined by the fastener, relative to at least one of thesupport body or the associated support arm.

In some embodiments, the fastener can be a ribbed fastener, such as afastener with threads or circumferential ridges. For example, someembodiments can include a threaded fastener that is rotatable but nottranslatable relative to the associated support arm. The threadedfastener can accordingly be rotated by a user in order to cause atranslational adjustment of the electrical box. For example, rotation ofa threaded fastener may cause translational movement of an electricalbox via engagement with a threaded fastener opening on the electricalbox or on the support body.

In some embodiments, it may be useful to arrange the support body andthe one or more support arms so that one or more associated fastenersextend within the interior of the electric al box. In some suchembodiments, the fasteners may be adjustable from within the electricalbox. For example, a support arm may rotatably and non-translatablysecure a threaded fastener that extends from the support arm through athreaded fastener opening on the electrical box into the interior of theelectrical box. A user can then engage a head of the fastener fromwithin the electrical box, thereby rotating the fastener to cause theelectrical box to be translated relative to the support arm via thethreaded engagement of the fastener with the fastener opening and thenon-translatable engagement of the fastener with the support arm.

The ability to adjust the mounting depth of an electrical box byengaging a fastener within the interior of the electrical box may beuseful, for example, in order to facilitate easier adjustment after theelectrical box has been installed (e.g., behind drywall or ceilingtiles). However, in some embodiments, the mounting depth of anelectrical box can be adjusted outside of the electrical box. Forexample, a support arm may be secured to an electrical box and athreaded fastener may extend along the exterior of the electrical boxbetween a rotatable but non-translatable engagement with the support armand a rotatable engagement with a threaded fastener opening in a supportbody. A user may then adjust the mounting depth of the electrical boxvia rotational adjustment of the fastener.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , an example bracket 100 according to anembodiment of the invention is installed to adjustably support anelectrical box 102 relative to a ceiling structure 104. In theillustrated example, the ceiling structure 104 includes standard T-gridsupports and a set of ceiling brackets 106 extending therebetween.Correspondingly, a support body 108 of the bracket 100 is configured toengage the ceiling brackets 106 and, in particular, is configured to beslidably adjustable relative to the ceiling brackets 106. In otherembodiments, however, other configurations are possible, includingconfigurations other than for ceiling support structures.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 in particular, the support body 108 includes acentral opening 110 that is configured to receive and surround theelectrical box 102. This can provide for easy installation of theelectrical box 102 and relatively stable support thereof. In otherembodiments, however, other configurations are possible, includingconfigurations in which a support body does not fully surround exteriorsides of an electrical box.

To allow for adjustment of the mounting depth of the electrical boxrelative to the support body 108 and the ceiling brackets 106, twosupport arms 112 extend from opposing sides of the support body 108 tosupport respective fasteners 114. In the illustrated embodiment, thesupport arms 112 are integrally formed with the support body 108 andextend from adjacent to the central opening 110, in particular from aconnection to the support body 108 at an edge of the central opening110. This may allow the bracket 100 to be manufactured with particularefficiency, although other configurations are possible.

In the illustrated embodiment, the extension portions 116 are configuredto contact the electrical box 102 between the support body 108 and thesupport portion 118, as may help to stabilize the electrical box 102 andguide smooth movement of the electrical box 102 during depth adjustments(e.g., as further described below). In other embodiments, however, otherconfigurations are possible.

Generally, as discussed above, support arms can support associatedfasteners so that adjustment of the fasteners relative to the supportarms can adjust the mounting depth of an associated electrical box. Indifferent embodiments, different configurations are possible for supportarms and associated fasteners. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , for example,each of the support arms 112 includes an extension portion 116 thatextends upwardly (or rearwardly, depending on the installationorientation) along an exterior side of the electrical box 102. Each ofthe support arms 112 also includes a support portion 118 that angles(e.g., at 90°) away from the extension portion 116 at a bend oppositethe support body 108.

Thus arranged, the support portion 118 can support the associatedfastener 114 exterior to and in axial alignment with (i.e., relative tothe axial direction of the fastener 114) the rear wall of the electricalbox 102. In particular, the support portions 118 extend behind the rearwall of the electrical box 102 at opposing corners thereof (i.e., atcorners not included on a common edge of the rear wall) so that thefasteners 114 extend through opposing corners of the rear wall of theelectrical box 102. As also generally discussed below, this may help toprovide even, easy, and reliable adjustment of the depth of theelectrical box 102 while also helping to prevent the fasteners 114 fromunduly interfering with wires or electrical devices (not shown) withinthe electrical box 102.

Continuing, the fasteners 114 extend from the support portions 118 ofthe support arms 112 through fastener openings 120 in the rear wall ofthe electrical box 102. Thus, via rotation of the fasteners 114, theelectrical box 102 can be moved in the axial direction of the fasteners114 in order to adjust the mounting depth of the electrical box 102relative to the support body 108. In particular, in the illustratedembodiment, the fasteners 114 are rotatable relative to the supportportions 118 but are translationally (axially) fixed relative to thesupport portions 118 (e.g., via riveting or peening of the fasteners,use of E-, C-, or other clips, use of integral or removable collars, orother techniques). The fasteners 114 are also threadedly engaged withthreads on extruded features at the fastener openings 120. Accordingly,when the fasteners 114 are rotated, the threaded engagement of thefasteners 114 with the fastener openings 120, and the rotatable butnon-translational engagement of the fasteners 114 with the supportportions 118, can collectively cause the electrical box 102 to moveaxially along the fasteners 114. Thus, via rotation of the fasteners 114and corresponding axial movement of the fasteners 114 through thefastener openings 120, the electrical box 102 can be secured at any of aplurality of depths relative to the support body 108. Indeed, because ofthe threaded configuration of the fasteners 114, the electrical box 102can be secured at any depth along a continuous range, as defined by theavailable length of the fasteners 114.

As discussed herein, unless otherwise indicated, “translationally fixed”and the like does not necessarily indicate an absolutely fixedarrangement, in which zero translational movement is permitted. Rather,some translationally fixed components (e.g., the fasteners 114) may beable to move translationally somewhat, but only to a certain amount andgenerally not so as to provide meaningful translational adjustment of acorresponding component (e.g., an electrical box). For example,depending on how the fasteners 114 are fixed to the support portions118, the fasteners 114 may be able to move slightly in the axialdirection, relative to the support portions 118 (e.g., by 1-5 mm or 1-3%of the axial length of the fasteners 114 or of the total depth of theelectrical box 102).

In the illustrated embodiment, heads of the fasteners 114 are disposedentirely within the interior of the electrical box 102, via theextension of the fasteners 114 from the support portions 118 through thefastener openings 120. This arrangement may be useful in some cases,because the open front of the electrical box 102 may remain readilyaccessible even after other surrounding structures (e.g., ceiling tilesor drywall) have been installed around the electrical box 102.Accordingly, for example, even after ceiling tiles have been installedfor the ceiling structure 104 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , a user may still easilymanually adjust the depth of the electrical box 102 by accessing thefasteners 114 via the front opening of the electrical box 102. Further,disposing the fasteners 114 behind and within, rather than alongside,the electrical box 102 can help to reduce the overall footprint of thebracket 100 and electrical box 102 as installed (i.e., relative to anarea in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the fasteners 114) andavoid interference between the fasteners are external features (e.g.,features of a building support structure). In other embodiments,however, including as discussed below, other configurations arepossible.

In some embodiments, other aspects of the configuration illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2 can also be changed while preserving similarly beneficialadjustability. For example, in some embodiments, fasteners may betranslationally fixed relative to a support arm and may engage athreaded feature at a different location on or in an electrical box. Ora fastener threadedly engaged with a support arm and translationallyfixed but rotatable relative to an electrical box. Similarly, althoughconfigurations with a set of opposing support arms (e.g., at opposingcorners) may sometimes provide a particularly optimal balance betweenstability and ease of adjustment, some configurations may have adifferent number of support arms, or one or more support arms disposeddifferently relative to a support body than is illustrated in FIGS. 1and 2 .

As another example, FIG. 3 illustrates a bracket 150 that is configuredsimilarly to the bracket 100, so that the mounting depth of anelectrical box 152 relative to a ceiling structure 154 can be easilymanually adjusted from the interior of the electrical box 152. In someaspects, however, the bracket 150 differs from the bracket 100. Forexample, a support body 158 of the bracket is configured to engagetelescoping ceiling brackets 156, of a different configuration than theceiling brackets 106.

In some embodiments, a support arm may be separate from a support body,so that adjustment of a fastener moves the support arm relative to thesupport body and thereby adjusts a mounting depth of an associatedmounting bracket. A bracket 200 of this type according to an embodimentof the invention is in FIGS. 4 and 5 .

Similarly to the brackets 100, 150, the bracket 200 includes a supportbody 208 that is configured to surround an electrical box 202 andsupport the electrical box 202 relative to a support structure (e.g.,ceiling brackets 206). In contrast to the brackets 100, 150, however,support arms 212 of the bracket 200 are separated and spaced apart fromthe support body 208 and are secured to exterior sides of the electricalbox 202 (e.g., directly attached to the box 202, using welding orfasteners, or integrally formed with the box 202).

Similarly to the support arms 112, the support arms 212 are configuredto retain threaded fasteners 214 so that the fasteners 214 aretranslationally fixed but rotatable relative to the support arms 212. Incontrast to the fasteners 114, however, the fasteners 214 extend fromthe support arms 212 to engage threaded fastener openings 220 on thesupport body 208 rather than on the electrical box 202. Accordingly, asthe fasteners 214 are rotated relative to the support arms 212, thefixed engagement of the support arms 212 with the electrical box, thenon-translational engagement of the fasteners 214 with the support arms212, and the threaded engagement of the fasteners 214 with the supportbody 208 cause the electrical box 202 to translate relative to thesupport body 208 (i.e., in the axial direction of the fasteners 214).Thus, via rotation of the fasteners 214 and axial movement of thefasteners 214 through the fastener openings 220, the electrical box 202can be secured at any of a plurality of depths relative to the supportbody 208.

As also noted above, in different embodiments, different arrangementscan be used to secure fasteners to support arms. In the illustratedembodiment, for example, each of the support arms 212 includes a stampedfold 222 that forms a clip to fix a head of the associated fastener 214against translation while still allowing the fastener 214 to rotate.Further, an access opening 224 is provided on a forward side of each ofthe folds 222 (relative to the orientation of the electrical box 202) sothat a hand tool can be used to manually adjust each of the fasteners214 without removing the fastener 214 from the fold 222.

Also in contrast to the configurations of the brackets 100, 150, thefasteners 214 of the bracket 200 extend along exterior sides of theelectrical box 202. In some embodiments, this arrangement may alsoprovide notable benefits. For example, because the fasteners 214 do notextend within the electrical box 202, the entire interior volume of theelectrical box 202 remains available to receive and arrange othercomponents.

In some embodiments, as also discussed above, parts of a bracket can beconfigured to extend along (e.g., contact) one or more sides of anelectrical box in order to help to stabilize the electrical box or tohelp guide depth adjustments thereof. Accordingly, for example, someembodiments similar to the bracket 200 can include structures similar tothe extension portions 116 of the bracket 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ), orother features, that extend from adjacent to a central opening of abracket (or elsewhere) in order to contact and support an electrical boxsecured to the bracket.

Although the use of multiple adjustable fasteners can provide somebenefits relative to stability, some embodiments may use only a singleadjustable fastener. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6 , a bracket250 is configured to adjustably support an electrical box 252 relativeto ceiling brackets 256. The bracket 250 is generally similar to thebracket 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 2 ), with a support body 258 and twoextension portions 266 that extend on opposing sides of the electricalbox 252. In contrast to the bracket 100, however, the bracket 250includes only a single support portion 268 that extends between theextension portions 266 across the back wall of the electrical box 252(i.e., the extension portions do not form independent support arms).Correspondingly, only a single fastener 264, riveted to the supportportion 268, extends through a central threaded fastener opening 270 inthe electrical box 252, so that a mounting depth of the electrical box252 can be adjusted by rotating the single fastener 264. In otherembodiments, multiple fasteners can be used with a similar bracket, or asingle fastener can be used with brackets that are configureddifferently (e.g., do not have a bridging support portion as shown forthe support portion 268).

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a bracket 300 that is generally similar indesign and functionality to the brackets 100, 150 of FIGS. 1 and 3 .Like the brackets 100, 150, the bracket 300 is configured so that themounting depth of an electrical box 302 relative to a support structure(e.g., telescoping ceiling brackets 306 of FIG. 8 ) can be easilymanually adjusted from the interior of the electrical box 302 anddiscussion of brackets 100, 150 above generally also applies to thebracket 300 (and vice versa). In some aspects, however, the bracket 300differs from the brackets 100, 150. For example, as also discussedbelow, a support body 308 of the bracket 300 includes bendable tabs 326(only one shown) that are configured to engage the ceiling brackets 306(see, e.g., FIG. 8 ). Further, the support body 308 also includes setsof attachment arms, here configured as exterior arms 332 of the supportbody 308 that support the bendable tabs 326 and as resilient interiorspring arms 330, disposed on opposite sides of each of the exterior arms332.

As best seen in FIG. 8 , the bracket 300 is configured to be mounted tothe ceiling brackets 306 with the support body 308 contacting theceiling brackets 306 on a first side 334, so that the ceiling brackets306 are gripped between sets of the arms 330, 332 on each of twoopposing sides of the bracket 300. With the support body 308 thusdisposed, the bendable tabs 326 can then be bent from an installationconfiguration (see FIG. 7 ) toward the electrical box 302 (and thecorresponding spring arms 330) and into an installed configuration, inwhich the tabs 326 overlay an the ceiling brackets 306 on an opposingsecond side 336 and thereby further secure the support body 308 to theceiling brackets 306. As a result, the support body 308 of the bracket300 can be easily secured to the ceiling brackets 306 without separatefasteners and, in particular, is configured to be slidably adjustablerelative to the ceiling brackets 306 once so secured. Of note, althoughthe bracket 300 can be secured to a support structure without usingfasteners, including as discussed above, it may nonetheless be useful tofurther secure the bracket 300 with threaded fasteners (e.g., asinserted through a front face of the attachment arm 332 or the supportbody 308).

In the embodiment illustrated, the first side 334 of the ceiling bracket306 is a lower (bottom) side thereof, and the second side 336 is anupper (top) side thereof. Thus, the bracket 300 can be mounted toceiling brackets 306 from below, which may provide an improvedinstallation process relative to conventional designs that must beinstalled from above. However, other installation orientations arepossible, including installations in which the support body 308 isoriented vertically (e.g., as attached to a between-stud telescopingbracket (not shown)) or installed from above a support structure (e.g.,similarly to the brackets 100, 150, 200, 250). Further, although thebracket 300 of the FIGS. 7 and 8 includes two bendable tabs 326asymmetrically disposed on the exterior attachment arm 332, othernumbers or configurations of bendable tabs may be used in otherembodiments.

FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate another bracket 400 configured to allowmanual adjustment of a mounting depth of an electrical box 402 relativeto a support structure (e.g., telescoping between-stud brackets 406 ofFIG. 11 ), from the interior of the electrical box 402. The bracket 400is generally similar in design and functionality to the bracket 300 ofFIGS. 7 and 8 , and discussion of bracket 300 above generally alsoapplies to the bracket 400 (and vice versa). In this regard, forexample, a support body 408 includes a body opening 410 that is fullyenclosed by surrounding material of the support body 408 (see FIG. 10 ),such as may provide for improved strength and durability of the bracket400. Further, two independent support arms 412 extend integrally fromopposing edges of the body opening 410, each with an extension portion414 and a distal bend that leads to a free end proximate a supportportion 416.

Continuing, threaded fasteners 418 are riveted to the support portions416 to be rotatably supported in alignment with opposing rear corners ofthe electrical box 402, with heads of the fasteners 418 disposed insideof the electrical box 402 for adjustment (see FIG. 10 ). As also shownin FIG. 10 in particular, the fasteners 418 are thus generallyconstrained to move only axially (and rotationally about their own axes)relative to the interior of the electrical box 402, and to move axiallyonly along a corresponding translation zone 420 of relatively limitedsize (e.g., extending only 25% of the width of the fasteners 418 beyondthe fasteners 418 in any direction perpendicular to the rotational axesof the fasteners 418). Thus, as also discussed above, the fasteners 418may impose relatively minimal reductions in available space forelectrical devices within the electrical box 402. Further, thetranslation zones 420 being of relatively small area and being disposedon opposing corners of the electrical box 402 can allow for easyadjustment of the fasteners 418 despite the presence ofelectrical-device mounting tabs 404 on other corners of the electricalbox 402 (or elsewhere on other boxes).

As a further example, referring again to FIG. 9 , the support arms 412taper from a perspective moving from the body opening 410 toward thesupport portions 416. As also discussed below, this taper (and others)can allow for more economical manufacturing of the disclosed brackets,while also ensuring appropriate overall strength for the support arms.Additionally, tapered support arms can improve accessibility anelectrical boxes supported by the brackets. For example, as illustratedfor the bracket 400, the taper of the support arms 412—as shown, frommore than half to less than a quarter of the widths of the body opening410 and the electrical box 402—can allow users to easily access all fourlarge rear knock-outs 422 of the electrical box 402 and two of the largeknock-outs 424 on the corresponding lateral side of the electrical box402. Thus, despite providing relatively secure and highly adjustablesupport, the support arms 412 can still allow users to configure theelectrical box 402 with a high degree of flexibility, including relativeto use of the knock-outs 422, 424.

As still another example, the support arms 412 can also provide afar-side support for the bracket 400 or for a larger bracket assembly.As illustrated in FIG. 11 , for example, the support arms 412 extendrearward from the between-stud bracket 406 so that the support portions416 thereof are adjacent to a far-side (e.g., drywall) surface. Thus,the support arms 412 can help to prevent the brackets 400, 406 or theelectrical box 402 from being pushed rearwardly relative to the largersupport structure. In this regard, lips 426 along the outer edges of thesupport can also be useful: not only can the lips 426 provide improvedstructural rigidity for the support arms 412, but they can also create arecessed area 428 (see FIG. 9 ) within which the riveted end of thefasteners 418 can freely rotate without interference from any far-sidestructure. Further in this regard, the independent, spaced-apart,opposite-corner configuration of the support portions 416 can contributeto particularly stable far-side support functionality (e.g., in contrastto a single, bridging support member that extends between mid-points ofopposing lateral sides of an electrical box).

Despite many similarities, the bracket 400 also differs from the bracket300 of FIGS. 7 and 8 in some aspects. For example, to further guidemovement of the electrical box 402 during depth adjustment, the supportbody 408 also includes guide tabs 430. As illustrated in FIG. 9 inparticular, the guide tabs 430 extend integrally from the body, adjacentto attachment arms 432, 434 (with bendable tabs 436), into alignmentwith the body opening 410 (i.e., to overlap with a rearward projectionof the area of the body opening 410). Accordingly, when the electricalbox 402 is slidingly disposed within the body opening 410, the guidetabs 430 resiliently engage the corresponding side walls of theelectrical box 402 and thereby assist to maintain an aligned and smoothmovement of the electrical box 402 within the body opening 410 duringdepth adjustment. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the electricalbox 402 can be laterally stabilized on all four sides, by a combinationof the support arms 412 and the guide tabs 430, so that relativelysmooth adjustment and stable anchoring of the electrical box 402 can beachieved.

In some embodiments, brackets according to the invention can be formedfrom stamping of single-piece blanks. As opposed to some conventionalapproaches, this may improve manufacturing efficiency, reducemanufacturing costs, and provide brackets of higher and more reliablequality than other methods. Further, integrally-formed brackets can beeasier to manage during installation and adjustment, and can allow forimproved inventory efficiency.

In this regard, for example, FIG. 12 illustrates a manufacturing blank500 that can be formed, through a series of stamping operations, intothe bracket 400. In particular, the blank 500 includes a single-pieceplanar body 502 that may be initially stamped from a larger piece ofsheet metal and that fully encloses a central body opening 504. The bodyopening 504 is generally rectangular (e.g., square), with a rectangularperimeter profile that is interrupted along opposing edges 506 byopposing supports 508 that extend from the edges 506 into the bodyopening 504, although other opening shapes are also possible. Further,the supports 508 taper, from a perspective moving from the edges 506towards the distal ends of the supports 508, from a maximum width 510that is more than 50% of a corresponding width of the body opening 504(e.g., 67%) to a width 512 of less than 25% of the width of the bodyopening 504 (e.g., 22%) at a location corresponding to openings 524 thatwill support a threaded fastener for adjustment of the electrical box.Overall, the supports 508 thus occupy most (e.g., 75%, 80%, or more) ofthe area of the body opening 504. In some cases, and in other similarconfigurations, this can provide substantial material efficiencies formanufacturing. As also discussed above, it can also allow the resultingsupport arms 412 to provide access to the knock-outs 422, 424 (see,e.g., FIG. 9 ) and help to ensure appropriate overall strength when thesupports 508 are formed into the support arms 412 (see, e.g., FIG. 9 ),particularly when edge regions 508 a of the supports 508 are folded toform the lips 426 (see, e.g., FIG. 9 ).

The body 502 also includes sets of arms 514 on opposing sides thereof,extending from an outer edge of a main part of the body 502, in adirection away from the body opening 504. In the illustrated embodiment,the arms 514 extend from different opposing sides of the body 502 and indifferent opposing directions than do the supports 508, as may allow forparticularly effective collective engagement of an electrical box and asupport structure by features formed by the arms 514 and the supports508. In other embodiments, however, other configurations are possible.

Although a variety of arm configurations are possible, in theillustrated embodiment the sets of arms 514 are symmetrical relative toeach other, about a central axis of the blank 500, and each set of arms514 is internally symmetrical about a perpendicular axis, except for tabextensions 516 that correspond to the bendable tabs 436 (as furtherdiscussed below), such as may result in the bracket 400 exhibitingparticularly reliable stability. In particular, each of the sets of arms514 includes a central attachment arm 518 that extends farther from themain portion of the body 502 (and the body opening 504) than opposingperipheral attachment arms 520, with the tab extension 516 extendingoutwardly from one lateral side of the central attachment arm 518.Additionally, guide arms 522 extend by the same distance as the centralattachment arm 518, between the central attachment arm 518 and theperipheral attachment arms 520.

As further detailed below, the attachment arms 520 correspond to theattachment arms 432 (see, e.g., FIG. 9 ), the attachment arms 518correspond to the attachment arms 434, and the guide arms 522 correspondto the guide tabs 430. Thus, with continue reference also to FIG. 9 ,the illustrated spatial arrangement of the sets of arms 514 may beparticularly beneficial, including so that there is an appropriatelywide spacing between the attachment arms 432, so that the attachmentarms 434 are sufficiently long to extend around a support structure whenin a bent configuration, and so that the guide tabs 430 are sufficientlylong to extend into the body opening 410 to engage the electrical box402. However, a variety of other arm configurations are also possible.

In some cases, other beneficial features can also be provided. Forexample, anchor extensions 526 on the attachment arms 518 can provideattachment locations for cables or other devices to further help supportthe bracket 400 relative to support structures. As another example,alignment features such as indexing indents 528 can help to appropriatealign a centerline of an electrical box during installation. Mountingopenings 530 can also help with visual alignment or can serve as anchorpoints for fasteners that are used to further secure the bracket 400 inplace.

In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can beutilized, manufactured, or installed using methods embodying aspects ofthe invention. Correspondingly, any description herein of particularfeatures, capabilities, or intended purposes of a device or system isgenerally intended to include disclosure of a method of using suchdevices for the intended purposes, of a method of otherwise implementingsuch capabilities, of a method of manufacturing relevant components ofsuch a device or system (or the device or system as a whole), and of amethod of installing disclosed (or otherwise known) components tosupport such purposes or capabilities. Similarly, unless otherwiseindicated or limited, discussion herein of any method of manufacturingor using for a particular device or system, including installing thedevice or system, is intended to inherently include disclosure, asembodiments of the invention, of the utilized features and implementedcapabilities of such device or system.

In this regard, some embodiments can include a method of manufacturingfor a bracket (e.g., an integrally formed bracket) for adjustable-depthmounting of electrical boxes. For example, still referring to FIGS. 9and 12 , a method of manufacturing the bracket 400 can include initiallystamping the shape of the blank 500 from a single piece of metalmaterial. Further operations can then be executed on the blank 500 toform the edge regions 508 a of the supports 508 into the lips 426, tobend the supports 508 into the support arms 412. The sets of arms 514can also be bent, including multiple bends, respectively, to form theattachment arms 518, 520 and the guide arms 522, into the attachmentarms 432, 434 and the guide tabs 430. Generally, the tab extension 516can be left as the guide tab 430 in an un-bent configuration untilinstallation, when the guide tab 430 can be used to secure the bracket400 as needed (e.g., as generally discussed above). The various bendsnoted above can be executed in different orders, in differentimplementations, including with one or more bends executedsimultaneously (i.e., as part of a single stamping step).

The discussion above is framed relative to particular brackets andassociated arrangements. However, those of skill in the art willrecognize that this discussion implicitly also discloses various methodsof adjustably mounting electrical boxes relative to support structures.Similarly, as also discussed above, the particular configurations of thesupport bodies and other components expressly described and illustratedin the various embodiments are presented as examples only, and theconcepts disclosed herein can be used to adjustably secure electricalboxes (or other components) relative to a variety of bracketconfigurations and support structures. In this regard, for example,brackets according to some embodiments can be configured for attachmentto between-stud supports, as integral parts of between-stud supports,for attachment directly to building studs or other building structures,and so on. Further, specific features discussed in detail relative tocertain embodiments can be generally configured or used similarly withother embodiments, including relative to similar features on thoseembodiments or as substitutions or additions to those embodiments.

Thus, embodiments of the invention can provide improved brackets foradjustable mounting of electrical boxes. For example, some embodimentscan provide brackets that allow an electrical bracket to be adjustedamong any number of different mounting depths relative to a supportstructure, including any number of different mounting depths along acontinuous range of depths.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention.Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein maybe applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention. Thus, the invention is not intended to belimited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widestscope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bracket assembly for adjustable-depth mountingof an electrical box relative thereto, the bracket assembly comprising:a support body including a body opening that is fully enclosed by thesupport body and sized to slidably receive the electrical box; a firstsupport arm extending integrally from the support body adjacent the bodyopening and including a first support portion rotatably supporting afirst threaded fastener that threadedly engages with the electrical boxto be rotatable from inside the electrical box to adjust a depth of theelectrical box within the body opening; and a second support armextending integrally from the support body adjacent the body opening,opposite the first support arm, and including a second support portionrotatably supporting a second threaded fastener that threadedly engageswith the electrical box to be rotatable from inside the electrical boxto adjust a depth of the electrical box within the body opening, thesecond support portion arranged diagonally opposite the first supportportion relative to the body opening.
 2. The bracket assembly of claim1, wherein the first and second support portions extend transverselyfrom the respective first and second support arms to be disposed behinda rear wall of the electrical box.
 3. The bracket assembly of claim 2,wherein the first and second threaded fasteners are axially fixedrelative to the corresponding first or second support ends and arerotatable relative to the corresponding first or second support ends;and wherein the rear wall of the electrical box at fastener openings onthe rear wall, so that the electrical box is axially movable relative tothe first and second threaded fasteners at the fastener openings.
 4. Thebracket assembly of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first supportarm or the second support arm is configured to provide a far-sidesupport for the bracket assembly relative to a far-side supportstructure opposite the support body.
 5. The bracket assembly of claim 4,wherein the first and second support portions include lips along outeredges thereof, the lips defining a respective recessed area along eachof the first and second support ends in which the first and secondthreaded fasteners are received to be spaced from the far-side supportstructure when the first and second support portions are seated againstthe far-side support structure.
 6. The bracket assembly of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of guide tabs that extend integrally fromthe support body to biasingly engage side walls of the electrical box toguide translational movement of the electrical box within the bodyopening.
 7. The bracket assembly of claim 6, wherein the first andsecond support arms extend along first and second side walls of theelectrical box and the side walls of the electrical box with which theplurality of guide tabs are biasingly engaged are third and fourth sidewalls extending between the first and second side walls.
 8. The bracketassembly of claim 1, wherein the first support arm extends from a firstedge of the body opening and the second support arm extends from asecond edge of the body opening, opposite the first edge.
 9. A bracketassembly for adjustable-depth mounting of an electrical box relative toa support structure, the bracket assembly comprising: a support bodythat is configured to be secured to the support structure, the supportbody including a body opening sized to slidably receive the electricalbox; and a first support arm and a second support arm extendingintegrally from the support body on opposing sides of the body opening,the first support arm extending independently relative to the secondsupport arm; each of the first and second support arms having a supportportion configured to extend partly across a respective corner of thebody opening, the respective corners being located diagonally oppositeeach other; with the electrical box in the body opening, each of thesupport portions retains a respective fastener extending through a rearwall of the electrical box with the respective fasteners configured tobe engageable from inside the electrical box to move the electrical boxto any of a plurality of depths relative to the support body.
 10. Thebracket assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the respective fasteners isaxially fixed relative to the corresponding first or second support armand is rotatable relative to the corresponding first or second supportarm; and wherein each of the respective fasteners extends through and isaxially movable relative to a fastener opening on the rear wall of theelectrical box.
 11. The bracket assembly of claim 10, wherein each ofthe respective fasteners is a respective threaded fastener that isconfigured to move axially relative to the corresponding fasteneropening upon rotation of the respective threaded fastener relative tothe corresponding first or second support arm.
 12. The bracket assemblyof claim 9, wherein each of the first and second support arms has arespective continuous lip extending along an outer edge thereof.
 13. Thebracket assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second support armsare shaped to provide clearance for user access to a respective knockoutopening in a corresponding side wall of the electrical box.
 14. Thebracket assembly of claim 13, wherein, proximate the body opening, eachof the first and second support arms extends from the respective cornerand along more than half of the corresponding opposing side of the bodyopening.
 15. The bracket assembly of claim 9, further comprising: afirst guide tab and a second guide tab on opposing sides of the supportbody; wherein the first and second guide tabs extend past acorresponding edge of the body opening to resiliently engage opposingside walls of the electrical box to slidably support the electrical boxwithin the body opening.
 16. The bracket assembly of claim 15, whereinthe first and second guide tabs are disposed on different sides of thebody opening than the first and second support arms.
 17. The bracketassembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second guide tabs extendfrom outer edges of the support body, opposite the body opening, and thefirst and second support arms extend from edges of the body opening. 18.A method of producing a bracket assembly for adjustable-depth mountingof an electrical box relative to a support structure, the methodcomprising: stamping a blank from a single piece of metal material intoa predetermined shape, the blank including a support body with a bodyopening sized to slidably receive the electrical box and a first supportarm and a second support arm extending integrally from the support bodyon opposing sides of the body opening; bending the first and secondsupport arms at the body opening to extend the first and second supportarms rearward of the support body; and forming a distal bend in each ofthe first and second support arms to form respective support portionsconfigured to extend partly across a respective corner of the bodyopening, the respective corners of the body opening located diagonallyopposite each other; the support portions each configured to retain afastener configured to be adjusted from inside the electrical boxrelative to the corresponding first and second support arms to move theelectrical box to any of a plurality of depths relative to the supportbody.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: bending outeredges of the first and second support arms to form lips along the firstand second support arms.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein thestamping further forms a first guide tab and a second guide tab onopposing sides of the support body, and the method further includes:bending the first and second guide tabs to extend past a correspondingedge of the body opening, the first and second guide tabs configured toresiliently engage opposing side walls of the electrical box to slidablysupport the electrical box within the body opening.